Mick Donovan

Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Inclusive Sport & Educational Development)

Head of Institute of Sport & Exercise Science

University of Worcester

I love Worcester because of our passion for sport.

Whilst not one of the biggest in the UK, the city of Worcester boasts teams who compete at the highest national levels in Rugby, Cricket, Netball and Basketball. The Warriors, Valkyries, Rapids, Pears, Stars and Wolves complete a formidable line when representing our beautiful city in elite team sports. They are supported by loyal fans and also generate income for the city from travelling away supporters at their home games. We also have a vibrant hockey club, a well established bowls league and our football club is in transition. The tens of thousands involved in associated youth, Community, seniors and disability sections of all clubs cannot be forgotten.

In the University of Worcester Arena, the home of the Worcester Wolves and the Severn Stars, we have Britain’s first indoor sports facility, purpose designed to include the wheelchair athlete and already it has hosted Olympic and Paralympic athletes and a wide range of national and international sporting and cultural events.

I am proud to work at a University that has a history of supporting sport at all levels and brining Sport and Education together. Significantly, our University in Worcester is now becoming a world leader in Inclusive Sport in terms of our culture and coach and teacher education.

When you walk along the riverside, near the racecourse at the weekend, in view of the iconic Hive Library and our breath-taking Cathedral, you are accompanied by the vast number of rowers, cyclists and runners who are either training for major events, exercising to improve their health or simply having fun ………. there may also be a huge crowd enjoying a small wager at a horse racing meet at Pitchcroft.

In summary, we really are an Inclusive, Innovative and Inspiring City of Sport